June 18, 2008

Ces and companions freed

MANILA, Philippines--Kidnapped television reporter Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo were freed Tuesday night, nine days after they were abducted in Sulu province.

Drilon and her companions are on their way to the Sulu provincial hospital for a medical check-up, dzMM radio reported.

Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, police director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), confirmed the release of Drilon and her two companions but would not provide additional details.

"Ces, Jimmy, and Angelo are finally all free," ABS-CBN said in a statement. "We are thankful our prayers have been answered and our efforts rewarded." (Read the rest at Ces freed.)


THANK YOU LORD!

I WAS waiting all day for news about Ces and her companions. It was scary that her Abu Sayyaf captors had given a noon deadline for ransom to be paid in exchange for their release. At the back of my mind, I thought these bandits would not be so stupid to execute their hostages because they need the publicity for their losing fight. But then again, killing innocent civilians is something they are used to.

The 12 noon deadline came and went, and by the late afternoon, the industry was abuzz with rumors that Ces and her companions would be freed. No one exactly knew when and how, but as we all know now, Sen. Loren Legarda had something to do with it. (Josh, and she makes sure everyone knows it!)

Still, I am glad Loren did what she could to get Ces and her companions released (although we will not hear the end of it 'til 2010). After all, she is some kind of honorary Muslim princess isn't she? Anyhoo, I know Ces is going to have one hell of a story to tell on TV. And I can't wait to watch it.

Welcome back, mader!

(And to all those idiots who were too early in texting the ransom-Meralco joke – your callousness truly astounds me – ngayon pwede 'nyo na pakalat ulit. Nakakatawa na sya.)

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